Orphanges

The 1890s brought many attempts at social reform and part of this was the establishment of a number charitable organzations including orphanages. The state orphanage at Twin Bridges was established in 1893. Helena had several of these early institutions including Montana's first orphan's home, St. Ambrose, opened on Catholic Hill on South Warren Street in 1881. St. Ambrose operated until 1893, when it became St. Joseph's in 1893, and moved to the present site of Shopko. The Montana Children's Home (later Shodair Hosptial), founded in 1896, was long located at Helena Avenue and Warren Street. The Oddfellows Home on Head Lane also took in orphans in the 1910s and 1920s whose parents were members of the fraternal organization. Although Helena has been reputed to be the last stop on the so-called "orphan trains,"  there is no evidence to support this claim.       

Sources at Lewis & Clark Library

1. Paladin, Vivian A. "St. Joseph's: a Haven for Children." More From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch. Volume III. Helena, Mont.: Helena Independent Record, 1998. 169-174. [Shelfmark M 917.6615 M]
2. Lewis and Clark County. Twentieth Century Souvenir, Lewis and Clarke County, Being a Part of a Volume Soon to Be Issued Called 20th Century Souvenir of Montana, History and Exposition. A.D.Raleigh, 1901. 34. [Shelfmark M 978.6615 R]
3. "St. Joseph's Home to Close After 84 Years of Caring for Orphans." Helena Independent Record 27 May 1965: Page 1.
4. Paladin, Vivian. "St. Joseph's Catholic Orphanage."  Independent Record 6 March 1997: Pages 5A-6A.

Sources at the Montana Historical Society Research Center

1. Paladin, Vivian A. "St. Joseph's: a Haven for Children." More From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch. Volume III. Helena, Mont.: Helena Independent Record, 1998. 169-174. [978.6615 M813Q V. III ]
2. "Orphanages, Montana." Vertical File. 
3. "St. Joseph's Home for Children, Helena, Montana," Vertical File.
4. "Shodair Crippled Children's Home, Helena, Montana," Vertical File.
5. "St. Joseph's Home to Close After 84 Years of Caring for Orphans." Helena Independent Record 27 May 1965: Page 1.
6. Paladin, Vivian. "St. Joseph's Catholic Orphanage."  Independent Record 6 March 1997: Pages 5A-6A.

State Historic Preservation Office

1. Source 1
2. Source 2
3. Source 3

On-line resources

1. Paladin, Vivian. "St. Joseph's Catholic Orphanage."  Independent Record 6 March 1997: Pages 5A-6A.
2. Source 2